Table 2 Subgroup analysis of outcome measurements
Factors | Studies (n) | Sample size (I) | Sample size (C) | WMD | 95% CI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knowledge Scores | ||||||
 Teaching methods | PBL | 27 | 783 | 750 | 6.86 | (5.31–8.41) |
PBL + CBL | 14 | 328 | 329 | 7.74 | (5.64–9.84) | |
 Departments | Non-surgery | 20 | 598 | 594 | 6.23 | (4.53–7.93) |
Surgery | 16 | 420 | 392 | 8.80 | (6.63–10.97) | |
Diagnostic imaging | 4 | 93 | 93 | 4.55 | (3.58–5.53) | |
Skill Scores | ||||||
 Teaching methods | PBL | 16 | 421 | 420 | 5.41 | (3.55–7.26) |
PBL + CBL | 6 | 126 | 129 | 9.53 | (6.37–12.69) | |
 Departments | Non-surgery | 8 | 226 | 229 | 4.99 | (2.46–7.52) |
Surgery | 12 | 273 | 272 | 8.59 | (5.97–11.20) | |
Diagnostic imaging | 2 | 48 | 48 | 1.30 | (-0.11–2.71) | |
Practical Skills Assessments | ||||||
 Teaching methods | PBL | 15 | 473 | 467 | 8.90 | (7.46–10.33) |
PBL + CBL | 12 | 314 | 314 | 7.94 | (6.04–9.84) | |
 Departments | Non-surgery | 18 | 567 | 562 | 7.95 | (6.59–9.31) |
Surgery | 7 | 175 | 174 | 10.19 | (7.93–12.45) | |
Diagnostic imaging | 2 | 45 | 45 | 6.87 | (2.36–11.38) | |
Total Scores | ||||||
 Teaching methods | PBL | 15 | 447 | 447 | 7.67 | (4.79–10.56) |
PBL + CBL | 12 | 323 | 325 | 9.92 | (7.57–12.27) | |
 Departments | Non-surgery | 16 | 466 | 468 | 8.24 | (5.66–10.83) |
Surgery | 7 | 196 | 196 | 9.55 | (5.39–13.72) | |
Diagnostic imaging | 3 | 83 | 83 | 10.07 | (5.28–14.86) | |